Background: Thoracoscopic talc poudrage induces peripheral blood granulocytosis and lymphopenia. The aim of this study is to investigate the type of lymphopenia in patients undergoing thoracoscopic talc poudrage.
Methods: We have measured peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets in 11 patients undergoing thoracoscopic talc poudrage, before (baseline), at 24 and 48 h after the procedure. Lymphocyte numbers were analysed by flow cytometry for the evaluation of the CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ cells (total T-lymphocytes, helper T-lymphocytes, cytotoxic T-lymphocytes, respectively), the CD19+ cells (B-lymphocytes), and the CD16+, CD56+ and CD57+ cells (NK-cells). No anti-inflammatory medication was permitted before, during or after the procedure.
Results: Absolute peripheral blood lymphocyte count significantly decreased following thoracoscopic talc poudrage compared to baseline values (p=0.007). Similarly, peripheral blood CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocyte counts significantly decreased compared to baseline (p=0.005, 0.02 and 0.03, respectively) with a more prominent reduction of CD3/CD45RO memory cells. No significant difference was found in the absolute number of CD19+, CD16+, CD56+, and CD57+ cells before and after thoracoscopic talc poudrage.
Conclusion: Patients undergoing thoracoscopic talc poudrage display peripheral blood T-lymphopenia following the procedure.